Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith signed with the Birds after have a nasty public battle with the Giants. He left New York with the hope that he could come to Philadelphia and pay them back for letting him go. Things didn’t work out so well for Smith during the game against the Giants.
He was involved in two huge plays which both involved deflected passes that played a major role in the game.
The first one occurred in the first quarter and the Eagles had moved the ball in the Giants red zone with a chance to take the lead. It was a 3rd down and eight.
Michael Vick took the snap then scanned the field in search of an open receiver. Before he could find a target, he got some immediate pressure from his left side, it was Jason Pierre-Paul coming his way. Vick gave him the “shake and bake” to buy some time.
He moved to his right, spotted Steve Smith wide open on a curl route and let the ball go like a dart. The ball hit Smith right in the hands.
He’s supposed to be one of the most sure-handed receivers in the league. When Smith was in New York, he was such a sure thing on 3rd down, plus Eli Manning used to come to him so much on those situations, that they used to refer to 3rd and longs by saying “3rd And Smith”.
If he had caught the ball, the Eagles would have had a first down and a chance to drive less than ten yards for a touchdown. If he had dropped the ball they would have kicked an easy field goal and taken the lead, but he did the worse things a receiver could do.
He let the pass deflect off of his hands and go high into the air. Of course Aaron Ross caught the ball for an easy interception. The Giants then drove the length of the field to take the lead with a touchdown.
Later in the first half, the Eagles were again in a third down, this time they were at the Giants four-yard line. It was third and goal. Smith was lined up in the left slot. He came off the ball drove the defenders off and went inside.
He had his safety Kenny Phillips beaten, so Vick spotted him and let the ball go in his direction. There was only one problem. Big defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was running over left guard Evan Mathis. While running over Mathis the big guy put his hands up and deflected the pass.
The ball sailed in the direction of Phillips and was floating in the air. The safety had himself an easy interception but he wasn’t able to pull the ball in, so it dropped on the ground.
The Birds kicked a field goal to get on the scoreboard, but that marked the second time they had marched into the Giants red zone and they came out of it with only three points.
It was the start of what would be a very disappointing performance.
I know Smith had a bad game but I still think he can help this team. Since Maclin might play Sunday maybe we can see the real Steve Smith. I feel we must give him a chance to make up for his bad performance. Once he plays more I feel he will be an asset for our offense in the long run. Our problem is Andy Reid not Steve Smith. I feel Steve Smith can get back to his all pro status the question is still out on Reid. How much longer do you give a coach who hasn’t won a Super Bowl. 13 years now with the same problems. I say Fired Reid Today. John Gruden get Ready!!!!!
So how was Steve S involved in the second play?………..
Maybe if they would have spent the $$$ on a LB, O-linemen, or safety, that they wasted on a receiver that they didn’t need, this wouldn’t even be a topic!
Time’s yours!